Mahabharata episode 34 Astikotpattau

 The Suta said: “Tapodhana! After her husband left, Jaratkaru immediately went to her brother and reported everything that had happened.

Hearing these words of great love, the elder Bhujagashreshtha humbled himself and said to his humble sister:

“Brother! You know for what reason I gave you to him. For the benefit of the serpents, you were to have a son from him.

My father had said to me earlier, when I was with the Suras, that, that brave man would save us all from the serpents.

Subha! Have you conceived a child from that sage? I wish that this marriage of yours should not be in vain.

It is not really right to question you in this way on this matter. However, since the matter is important, I must ask you this.

I know that your ascetic husband gets angry easily. That is why I cannot go after him. He can even curse me.

Bhadra! Tell me everything that happened between you and your husband and remove the terrible thorn that has been embedded in my heart for a long time.”

Hearing these words, Jaratkaru consoled the saddened Pannageshwara Vasuki and replied:

“When I asked about the child, that great ascetic Mahatma pointed to my belly and said, “There it is!” and left.

I do not remember that he ever lied even in a joke. Then, brother! Why does he lie about such a great matter?

He said, "Do not grieve over your deed. A son will be born to you who is as resplendent as the fire and the sun.”

Brother! "Having said this, my husband went away to austerity. Therefore, remove the extreme sorrow and pain in your mind."

Hearing this, Nagendra Vasuki was overjoyed and accepted his sister's words, saying, "So be it."

That Pannagottama consoled his sister, honored her, and treated her with gifts and other objects of worship.

The great and glorious Dwijasreshtha, within her began to grow like the moon in the full moon in the sky.

When the time came, the Naga's sister gave birth to a Brahmin boy, whose father and mother were fearless and shining like the womb of God.

He grew up in the house of the Naga king and learned the Vedas and Vedangas from the Chyavanatma Bhargava.

Even as a boy, that wise and virtuous man, who observed vows, became famous throughout the world by the name of Aasteeka.

While he was still in the womb, his father had said, “Asti” and left. That is why he was called Aasteeka.

Although a boy, he was strong and very intelligent and was very carefully protected in the house of Pannagaraja.

He looked like the Lord Shiva and the Lord Hiranya and grew up giving happiness to all those nagas.”

This is the forty-fourth chapter of the Mahabharata, called Astikotpattau, in the Adiparva, in the Astikaparva.